Spotlight search

You're searching your email for a message you know you haven't deleted but it simply isn't there any more.  What' going on? Could it be that you were having a conversation by Message or WhatsApp chat and it wasn't an email at all? Now, you could search Mail, Messages and WhatsApp separately, but there's a much better solution called spotlight search waiting to help find things anywhere on your iPhone or iPad. All you need is to think of a word or phrase that will help to find the message. Begin by going to your Home screen. If you aren't using VoiceOver swipe down near the centre of the screen. If you are using VoiceOver, touch an app icon in the main part of the screen and then swipe down with three fingers.  You can now enter the word or phrase you want to search for and the results will appear below and may include apps, web pages, Mail, Messages, WhatsApp chats and much more.  VoiceOver users may find it helpful to set the rotor to headings in order to skip more quickly to the results you want. Found items can be activated in the usual way, either with a tap for non-VoiceOver users or a double tap for VoiceOver users. iOS17 offers another way to access spotlight search with a search button just above the middle of the dock, the strip of icons along the bottom of the screen.